The '''Kathmandu Valley''' is a region of 230 sq.miles (600 sq. km.) in the heart of Nepal. The Kathmandu valley contains three of the largest cities in [[Nepal]], including Kathmandu itself, as well as hundreds of smaller towns and villages.

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The '''Kathmandu Valley''' is a region of 230 sq.miles (600 sq. km.) in the the [[Bagmati_(zone)|Bagmati zone]] in central [[Nepal]], and is home to three of the largest cities in [[Nepal]], including Kathmandu itself, as well as hundreds of smaller towns and villages.

* [[Boudhanath]]-(Boudha) Largest Buddhist Stupa in Tibet, a very important place of pilgrimage & meditation for Tibetan Buddhists, local Nepalis, & tourists. Dozens of Buddhist Monasteries/nunneries are in the area.

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*[[Bungmati]]

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* [[Bhaktapur]] -City of Devotees. No motorized vehicles in the city. Walk or ride bicycles only.

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* [[Khokana]] -"Khokana is a unique village which can be taken as a model of a medieval settlement pattern with a system of drainage and chowks. It houses chaityas and a Mother Goddess temple. The mustard-oil seed industry has become the living heritage of the village." UNESCO World Heritage.

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* [[Bungmati]]

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* [[Chapagaon]]

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* [[Chobhar]] - Ancient hill village, origins from the 12th century.

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* [[Daksinkali]] - Holy river gorge and site of weekly animal sacrifices. Hindu temple complex south of Kathmandu on the Bagmati River where it enters a gorge through the Mahabharat Range

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* [[Dhulikhel]] - Small town 30km south-east of Kathmandu in the heart of small hills and green valleys - perfect startpoint for short hikes. Try a 3-hours walk to the hill-top monastery of [[Namo Buddha]].

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* [[Panauti]] - one of the oldest towns in Nepal, consisting of many temples dating back to the 15th Century or earlier.

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* [[Kirtipur]] - is one of the oldest settlements in the Kathmandu Valley. Located right next to Patan.

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* [[Kakani]]

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* [[Nagarkot]] - (altitude: 2,000 m). Approximately 30 kms away from Kathmandu by car. It is just the place for a quick getaway from the bustling capital for some relaxation and outdoor activities. A great place to watch the sunrise

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* [[Changunarayan]] - small village and home to the ancient temple of Changu Narayan which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kathmandu Valley.

* '''Chobhar Gorge''' - Gorge through which all the waters of Kathmandu Lake were drained.

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* '''Gorkhanath Caves'''

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* '''Pashpatinath''' - Sacred Hindu place on the river with temples, monkees, & royal cremation ghats.

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* '''Swayambhunath''' - the monkey temple in [[Kathmandu]].

==Itineraries==

==Itineraries==

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Lots of travel agents who can help plan iteneraries

==Do==

==Do==

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* Have a ten day Vipassana Meditation course in Shivapuri area and calm down your mind. For reservation contact Jyoti Bhawan in Jamal.

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Bring your manners with you. Tip those who serve you generously. Don't take people's pictures without their permission.

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==Learn==

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*'''Meditation and/or yoga''' plenty of classes in many areas - see below, also look for notices or ask around.

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* '''A few words of Nepali''' "Don Knee Batt" = thank you. They say "Namaste" as a greeting or farewell - no more than once a day. A not watered down translation: the divine in me, recognizes the divine in you.

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==Buddhism==

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[[Image:Boudha.jpg|thumb|Baudha]]

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*'''Rangjung Yeshe Institute''', [http://www.ryi.org]. An international institute for Buddhist higher studies in [[Baudha]] - modeled on a traditional Tibetan Buddhist College. The Institute is affiliated with Kathmandu University, and located on the premises of the monastery Ka-Nying [short for "Kagyu and Nyingma"] Shedrup Ling. It offers bachelors and masters degrees in Buddhist Studies with Himalayan Language (Tibetan, Nepali, and Sanskrit), as well as six week stand alone intensive courses in each.

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*'''Kopan Monastery''', [http://www.kopanmonastery.com]. Founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa as the core of what has become an international network of Gelugpa dharma centers, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). Located near Baudha, Kopan offers ten-day meditation courses regularly throughout the year, and a month-long course (for which it is famous) every November-to-December. Reservations are necessary.

*'''TU Central Library''', [http://www.tucl.org.np]. It is one of the largest library of Nepal situated within Tribhuvan University premise at Kirtipur. You can get there by regular bus or micro-bus for Kirtipur. It has a large collection of old and new books, journals and newspaper.

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*'''British Council Library''' [http://www.britishcouncil.org/nepal.htm] It is in Lainchaur beside British Embassy.

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===Environment===

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*'''KEEP''' [http://www.keepnepal.org/] Kathmandu Environmental Education Project have a center in Kathmandu (behind Kilroy's), which provides environmental information about Nepal. They provide books for trekkers to record their experiences in for others to read before they set off. You can ask to see a BBC film entitled "Bearing the Burden" about Nepalese porters. They also provide a water bottle refill service that is also cheaper than buying new bottles (Rs 10). You can also buy there some biodegradable soap and iodine for your trek.

==Eat==

==Eat==

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==Get out==

==Get out==

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{{IsPartOf|Nepal}}

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{{isIn|Nepal}}

Revision as of 06:30, 11 August 2013

The Kathmandu Valley is a region of 230 sq.miles (600 sq. km.) in the the Bagmati zone in central Nepal, and is home to three of the largest cities in Nepal, including Kathmandu itself, as well as hundreds of smaller towns and villages.

Buddhist Temple of Boudhanath, Kathmandu

Contents

Cities

Boudhanath-(Boudha) Largest Buddhist Stupa in Tibet, a very important place of pilgrimage & meditation for Tibetan Buddhists, local Nepalis, & tourists. Dozens of Buddhist Monasteries/nunneries are in the area.

Bhaktapur -City of Devotees. No motorized vehicles in the city. Walk or ride bicycles only.

Khokana -"Khokana is a unique village which can be taken as a model of a medieval settlement pattern with a system of drainage and chowks. It houses chaityas and a Mother Goddess temple. The mustard-oil seed industry has become the living heritage of the village." UNESCO World Heritage.

Nagarkot - (altitude: 2,000 m). Approximately 30 kms away from Kathmandu by car. It is just the place for a quick getaway from the bustling capital for some relaxation and outdoor activities. A great place to watch the sunrise

Changunarayan - small village and home to the ancient temple of Changu Narayan which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kathmandu Valley.

Itineraries

Do

Bring your manners with you. Tip those who serve you generously. Don't take people's pictures without their permission.

Learn

Meditation and/or yoga plenty of classes in many areas - see below, also look for notices or ask around.

A few words of Nepali "Don Knee Batt" = thank you. They say "Namaste" as a greeting or farewell - no more than once a day. A not watered down translation: the divine in me, recognizes the divine in you.

Buddhism

Baudha

Rangjung Yeshe Institute, [1]. An international institute for Buddhist higher studies in Baudha - modeled on a traditional Tibetan Buddhist College. The Institute is affiliated with Kathmandu University, and located on the premises of the monastery Ka-Nying [short for "Kagyu and Nyingma"] Shedrup Ling. It offers bachelors and masters degrees in Buddhist Studies with Himalayan Language (Tibetan, Nepali, and Sanskrit), as well as six week stand alone intensive courses in each.

Kopan Monastery, [2]. Founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa as the core of what has become an international network of Gelugpa dharma centers, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). Located near Baudha, Kopan offers ten-day meditation courses regularly throughout the year, and a month-long course (for which it is famous) every November-to-December. Reservations are necessary.

Library

TU Central Library, [11]. It is one of the largest library of Nepal situated within Tribhuvan University premise at Kirtipur. You can get there by regular bus or micro-bus for Kirtipur. It has a large collection of old and new books, journals and newspaper.

British Council Library[12] It is in Lainchaur beside British Embassy.

Environment

KEEP[13] Kathmandu Environmental Education Project have a center in Kathmandu (behind Kilroy's), which provides environmental information about Nepal. They provide books for trekkers to record their experiences in for others to read before they set off. You can ask to see a BBC film entitled "Bearing the Burden" about Nepalese porters. They also provide a water bottle refill service that is also cheaper than buying new bottles (Rs 10). You can also buy there some biodegradable soap and iodine for your trek.